Swing analyzing device

ABSTRACT

In order to correct inappropriate swing motion into an appropriate swing motion, a swing analyzing device which measures body weight distributions in the vicinity of the big toes, the little toes, and the heels for the left and right feet at prescribed points during a swing is analyzed with trajectory and the like of balls being hit by the swing. The swing analyzing device comprises: a left foot weight measuring means and a right foot weight measuring means; a visual recording means; a synchronizing means; a recording means; a left foot template; a right foot template; and a display means to display respectively in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel of the left and right templates, weights loaded in corresponding areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a swing analyzing device for analyzing a weight shift (load shift) in directions back-and-forth, and left-and-right of a body during a swing practiced in various sporting events, and a flight direction, distance, and trajectory of a ball being hit by the swing, and to correct an inappropriate swing into an appropriate swing.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Various analysis/diagnosis devices have been devised in the past for analysis of swings practiced in various sporting events such as a golf swing in golf. For these analysis devices, for instance, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 6-142260 and 4-174683 disclose devices which detect center of loads respectively for the left and right feet and display curves indicating loci of weight shifts representing the center of loads.

[0005] However, with these devices, there was a problem of not being able to determine defects or peculiarity of the swings merely by observing the curves demonstrating the loci of weight shifts representing the center of loads for each foot. In order to correct the swing, there is a need to observe the state of body weight distributions in areas back-and-forth, and right-and-left for both feet, specifically the body weight distributions in at least three areas representing in the vicinity of big toes, little toes, and heels are of importance. A device which enables analysis of the body weight distributions in these three areas, in addition to displaying the result of analysis for easy observation, has not been provided at present.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a swing analysing device for analysing swings practiced in various sporting events, such as golf swing in golf, which allows simple analysis as to whether the swings are appropriate or inappropriate, and which also enables correction of inappropriate swings by measuring body weight distributions in at least three areas for each foot during the swing, and by analysing the result of weight measurement readings with a flight direction, distance, and trajectory of a ball being hit by the swing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The swing analyzing device of the present invention comprises a left foot weight measuring means for continuously measuring body weight applied on at least three areas including in the vicinity of a big toe, a little toe, and a heel of a left foot during a series of swing motions from the beginning of the swing until the end of the swing, a right foot weight measuring means for coutinuously measuring body weight applied on at least three areas including in the vicinity of a big toe, a little toe, and a heel of a right foot during a series of swing motions from the beginning of the swing to the end of the swing, a visual recording means for visually recording a swing, a synchronizing means for synchronously driving the left foot weight measuring means, the right foot weight measuring means, and the visual recording means, a recording means for recording body weight applied on the left foot measured by the left foot weight measuring means, body weight applied on the right foot measured by the right foot measuring means, and the visual image of the swing recorded by the visual recording means, a display means for displaying the body weight applied on the left foot at prescribed point A in the swing recorded by the recording means for the left foot in at least three areas in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel of the left foot, along with a template representing the left foot, and the visual image of the swing recorded by the visual recording means, the body weight applied on the right foot at prescribed point A in the swing recorded by the recording means for the right foot in at least three areas in the vicinity the big toe, the little toe, and the heel of the right foot, along with a template representing the right foot, and the visual image of the swing recorded by the visual recording means.

[0008] In the swing analyzing device of the present invention, the left foot weight measuring means measures body weight applied on the left foot in at least three areas in the left foot including in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel during a series of swing motions from the beginning of the swing until the end of the swing. Moreover, the right foot weight measuring means continuously measures the body weight applied on the right foot in at least three areas in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel during the swing from the beginning of the swing to the end of the swing. At the same time, the visual recording means visually records the swing. The recording means records the body weight applied on the left foot measured by the left foot weight measuring means, the body weight applied on the right foot measured by the right foot measuring means, and the visual image of the swing recorded by the visual recording means. At this time, since the synchronizing means synchronously drives the left foot weight measuring means, the right foot weight measuring means, and the visual recording means, the body weight applied on the left foot, the body weight applied on the right foot, and the image of the swing are recorded in a state of mutual coincidence at each point of the swing.

[0009] The display means displays in the vicinity of the right foot template in at least three areas in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel, weight loads corresponding to each area at point A in the swing recorded by the recording means, together with the visual image of the swing at point A in the swing.

[0010] Consequently, by merely looking at the visual image displayed by the displaying means, one could be able to identify which of the prescribed points in the swing the weight loads represent, and be able to identify the body weight distribution status in at least three areas in the vicinity of the big toes, the little toes, and the heels for both left and right feet.

[0011] By analyzing the course of body weight distributions in these three areas and the progress of the swing, namely comparing the result of analysis with the flight direction, distance, and trajectory of the ball being hit by the swing, the swinger is able to simply recognize the differences between the body weight distributions of these three areas at the time of making good swing (good shot) and bad swing (mis shot). Accordingly, the swinger is able to correct inappropriate swings into appropriate swings by practicing a swing imagining the course of the body weight distributions in these three areas to meet the course of the body weight distributions revealed when making good swings (good shots).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic view for explanation showing an example of the weight measuring means for the left foot.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing one example of block diagrams of the swing analysing device of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 3 is an example image of a golfer taking an address position in a golf swing.

[0015]FIG. 4 is an example view showing display means displaying a state of weight ratios of the left and right feet respectively against the total weight at the address position shown in FIG. 3, and the weight distribution status in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel for each foot at the address position shown in FIG. 3.

[0016]FIG. 5 is an example image of the golfer of FIG. 3 at a back swing position in the golf swing.

[0017]FIG. 6 is an example view showing display means displaying state of weight ratios of the left and right feet respectively against the total weight, and a weight distribution status in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel for each foot at the back swing.

[0018]FIG. 7 is an example image of the golfer at a top swing position in the golf swing.

[0019]FIG. 8 is an example view showing display means displaying state of weight ratios of the left and right feet respectively against the total weight, and a weight distribution status in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel for each foot at the top swing shown in FIG. 7.

[0020]FIG. 9 is an example image of the golfer at a down swing position of the golf swing.

[0021]FIG. 10 is an example view showing display means displaying state of weight ratios of the left and right feet respectively against the total weight, and a weight distribution status in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel for each foot at the down swing shown in FIG. 9.

[0022]FIG. 11 is an example view of the golfer at an impact position in the golf swing.

[0023]FIG. 12 is an example view showing display means displaying state of weight ratios of the left and right feet respectively against the total weight, and a weight distribution status in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel for each foot at swing impact with a golf ball as shown in FIG. 11.

[0024]FIG. 13 is an example view of the golfer at a follow through position in the golf swing.

[0025]FIG. 14 is an example view showing display means displaying state of weight ratios of the left and right feet respectively against the total weight, and a weight distribution status in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel for each foot at the follow through position shown in FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] The swing analyzing device of the present invention at least comprises, a left foot weight measuring means, a right foot weight measuring means, a visual recording means, a synchronizing means, a display means, and other means as appropriate according to the objects of the invention.

[0027] For the left foot weight measuring means and the right foot weight measuring means, there are no limitations as far as measurings are conducted continuously in at least three areas in the vicinity of the big toes, the little toes, and the heels for the left and right feet throughout the swing.

[0028] Practical examples of the left foot weight measuring means as illustrated in FIG. 1, are plate for loading the left foot, at least three load cells disposed below the plate in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel, preferably having outputs for sending signals into the recording means, for example, the left foot weight data (or information) measured by the left foot measuring means. The device not only allows for precise measurment of the body weight applied to the left foot in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe and the heel, but also for the sake of simple installation in outdoors, easy in handling and moving. Practical examples of the right foot weight measuring means are the same with practical examples of the left foot weight measuring means.

[0029] The weight data sent from the output into the recording means is preferably once amplified by a distortion amplification device or the like.

[0030] For the visual recording means, there are no limitations as long as continuous visual recording of the swing is possible, and such means can be selected according to the needs. Video cameras, TV cameras, and CCD cameras are preferred examples of the visual recording means for their simplicity of operation to fast forward and to rewind the recorded images.

[0031] For the synchronizing means, there are no limitations as long as the left foot weight measuring means, the right foot weight measuring means, and the visual recording means are synchronously conducted, and could be selected according to the needs. Examples of the synchronizing means are clock pulse generating device, timing counters and the like.

[0032] For the recording means, there are no limitations as long as the body weight applied to the left foot measured by the left foot weight measuring means, the body weight applied to the right foot measured by the right foot weight measuring means, and the visual images of the swings recorded by the visual recording means are recorded. Computors installed with softwares to enable such display are preferred examples.

[0033] For the display means, there are no limitations as long as dislaying of images of the swing at prescribed point A of the swing along with the weight readings of the left and right feet applied respectively in at least three areas in the vicinity of the big toes, the little toes and the heels at prescribed point A in the swing are displayed in the corresponding areas in the vicinity of the big toes, the little toes, and the heels of display templates representing the left and right feet. Computors installed with software to enable such display are preferred examples.

[0034] In the present invention, since the display means displays in the vicinity of the three areas, namely the big toes, the little toes and the heels of the templates respectively representing the left and right feet, the weight readings of the left and right feet, offers easy observation of the body weight distributions for both feet.

[0035] The present invention allows easy observation of the body weight distributions for both feet by displaying body weight applied to the left foot and the right foot respectively in the vicinity of the three areas, i.e., in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel.

[0036] The method of displaying body weight applied to the left and right feet is not limited, and could be displayed as numerals, circle graphs, bar graphs, or their combinations, with preference to bar graphs. When bar graphs are employed, the status of weight application on the left and right feet at prescribed points in the swing could easily be observed by viewing the length of bars. For bar graphs, those which indicate higher bars in response to heavier body weight applied are preferred, sharing equal length in base for each of the bars. Therefore, the weight distribution status for the left foot and the right foot at prescribed points in the swing could easily be recognized by one glance at bars. The display means more prefereably displays weight ratios of both the left foot and the right foot. The display means which displays the weight ratios for the left foot and the right foot against the total weight is even more preferred. If such being the case, it is possible to easily observe the weight shift coinciding with the swing and the weight balances of the left foot and the right foot at prescribed points in the swings.

[0037] For the displaying means, those which are capable of displaying the center of gravity are preferred. In such cases, one could be able to recognize where the center of gravity of the whole body is at a glance.

[0038] Moreover, the display means that are capable of displaying the center of gravities respectively for the body weight applied to the left and right feet is preferred. In such cases, one could be able to recognize the center of gravities respectively for the left foot and the right foot, at a glance.

[0039] The swing analyzing device of the present invention allows analysis in physical motions practiced in various sporting events, preferably motions in throwing, hitting balls, more preferably swings practiced in golf, baseball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, and throwing, even more preferably motions selected from golf swing, baseball swing, tennis swing, and badminton swing, and most preferably swings practiced in golf.

[0040] Since the swing analyzing device of the present invention affords outdoor installation in analyzing swings, realizes outstanding effect of correction by actually viewing the flight directions, distance, and trajectory of the balls being hit by the swings.

[0041] Moreover, according to the swing analyzing device of the present invention, the display means displays visual image of the swing, one is able to distinguish the point in the series of swing motions, moreover, since the display also provides images of body weight distributions in at least three areas in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel for the left and right feet demonstrating the same point in the swing, one is able to observe and imagine the transition in the body weight distributions in these three areas. By analyzing transition of the body weight distributions in these three areas along with the flight direction, distance, and trajectory of the balls being hit by the swing, one is able to simply recognize and imagine the difference between transitions of body weight distributions when making a bad swing (in case of making miss shots) versus a good swing (in case of making good shots). Accordingly, by practicing swings in an attempt to meet the image of good swings (in making good shots), one is able to correct inappropriate swings into appropriate swings.

[0042] When video cameras, clock-pulse generators, and the computers are employed respectively as the visual recording means, the synchronizing means, and the recording/display means, the visual recording means is able to continuously record the swings, allowing easy fast forwarding, and rewinding of the swing images. Synchronized with clock pulse generated by the clock pulse generator, the left foot weight measuring means, the right foot weight measuring means, and the visual recording means becomes possible for operation, allowing the visual image of the swing recorded by the visual recording means, the left foot weight readings measured by the left foot weight measuring means, the right foot weight readings measured by the right foot weight measuring means, all at the same prescribed points in the swing becomes posssible for recordation in a state of correspondence, are recordable and displayable by the computors which represent the recording means and the display means.

[0043] (Embodiment)

[0044] The present invention will be described hereinafter in detail using figures. However, it is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0045] The swing analyzing device of the present embodiment comprises elements as illustrated in the block diagram in FIG. 2.

[0046] The gravicorder 3 as shown in FIG. 2 is comprised of a pair of the left foot weight measuring means, and the right foot weight measuring means.

[0047] The left foot weight measuring means as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a left foot weight loading plate 10 a, a little toe area weight measuring portion 12, a big toe area weight measuring portion 14, and a heel area weight measuring portion 16, formed of load cells respectively disposed below the left foot loading plate 10 a in the vicinity of the little toe, the big toe, and the heel of a foot, and a little toe area weight data output 18 a, a big toe area weight data output 18 b, and a heel area weight data output 18 c for sending the data for the left foot of respective portions into a recording portion 50 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0048] The right foot weight measuring means employs the same configuration with the left foot weight measuring means.

[0049] The weight data sent from the gravicorder 3 into the recording portion 50 shown in FIG. 2, (i.e., in the case of left foot weight measuring means, the little toe area weight data, the big toe area weight data, and the heel area weight data respectively out put from the little toe area weight data output 18 a, the big toe area weight data output 18 b, and the heel area weight data oputput 18 c) are amplified by distortion amplifier 5 before sent into a recording portion 50 in FIG. 2.

[0050] The recording portion in FIG. 2 comprises the synchronizing means and the recording means.

[0051] A start switch 9 is activated to activate the recording portion 50 before the swing, initiates transmission from the clock pulse generating device, a clock pulse representing a synchronizing signal, triggers weight data measuring by the gravicorder 3, weight data amplified at the distortion amplifier 5 synchronously with the clock pulse, feeds the weight data into a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 11 through an A/D converter 13. On the other hand, synchrionized with the clock pulse, a video camera 15 representing the visual recording means begins continuous recording of the swing images, the visual image data of the swing recorded by the video camera 15 is then fed into the CPU 11 in the measuring portion through the video capturing unit 17.

[0052] The weight data and the image data input of the swing are associated with the clock pulse and being recorded in the CPU 11.

[0053] The weight data and the visual image data fed into the CPU are then sent to a liquid crystal display 40 a which represents the displaying means, for display.

[0054] To start out swing analysis of a golf club swinger, the start switch is operated. Then, the swinger initially taking an address position moves on to a back swing, to a top swing, followed by a down swing, into a follow through after impact with a golf ball. A series of these swing motions are visually recorded by the video camera 30 in FIG. 3 representing the visual recording means, the visual image data being recorded in the CPU 11 simultaneously with being displayed on the liquid crystal display 40 a representing the display means 40, the weight data continuously measured during the series of swing motions at the left foot measuring means 10 and the right foot measuring means 20 are recorded in the CPU 11, while being displayed on the liquid crystal display 40 a representing the display means 40.

[0055] For example, the template display image 41 (FIG. 4) of the swinger's foot standing on the foot weight loading plate 10 a (FIG. 1) is divided into three areas. This template display image 41 corresponds to the swinger's foot surface area being divided into at least three areas, each area corresponding to an area with at least one weight measuring portion, for example 12, 14 and 16 (FIG. 1) respectively. With respect to the display template 41, displaying body weight distribution in the vicinity of the big toe, little toe and heel; weight distribution (or measuring area) in the vicinity of the heel referrs to weight distributed in a rear portion of the foot, preferably the rear half of the foot. Furthermore, weight measuring area in the vicinity of the big toe of the left foot, for example, is the front and right portions of the left foot, preferably the right front quarter of the left foot 43.

[0056] Here, example visual images displayed on the liquid crystal display 40 a are as follows.

[0057] A visual image of the golfer taking the address position is shown in FIG. 3, while weight data for the same is indicated in FIG. 4, the visual image and the weight data are displayed in combination on the liquid crystal display 40 a. At the address position, it is easily recognized at a glance that the 56.1% of the total body weight of the swinger is on the left foot, while 43.9% of the total body weight is on the right foot, thus showing the center of gravity inclined slightly toward the left foot. Similarly easily recognized, the body weight placed inside of the left foot and the right heel is becoming greater compared to other areas.

[0058] This can be easily recognized from FIG. 4 because the size and location of weight indication bars on the inside of the template display image 41 of the left foot are largest in the left foot area. By observing the change in size and location of the weight indicator bars over the template display image 41, one can understand body weight shift during a swing such as a golf swing.

[0059] For example, in FIG. 4 the combination of large bars 51 and 59, as compared to smaller bars 55, 57, 53, and 61, easily indicate the current location of the swinger's weight during a swing. The size of bars 51 and 59 change during the swing as shown in FIGS. 6, 8 10, 12 and 14. The visual display of calculated body weight shift provides for an easy way for the individual swinger to understand and correct his own swing.

[0060] The visual image of the back swing is as shown in FIG. 5, while the weight data for the same is as shown in FIG. 6. The visual image and the weight data are combined on the liquid crystal display 40 a. It is to be noted that at the back swing, 20.1% of the total weight is on the left foot while 79.9% of the total weight is on the left foot, thus indicating greater shift in center of gravity on the right foot at a glance. Here, it is simply recognized at a glance, that body weight on the left foot in the vicinity of the big toe, little toe, and the heel is equally distributed, while slightly greater in the vicinity of heel for the right foot.

[0061] The visual image of the top swing is as shown in FIG. 7, the weight data for the same is as shown in FIG. 8. The visual image and the weight data are combined on the liquid crystal display 40 a. It is to be noted that at the top swing, 34.5% of the total weight is on the left foot while 65.5% of the total weight is on the right foot, thus indicating the center of gravity still remained on the right foot. Similarly, it is simply recognized at a glance, that the body weight is greater on the big toe area compared to other areas on the left foot, the weight in the vicinity of the heel is slightly larger, with little toe area slightly larger than on the big toe area, for the right foot.

[0062] The visual image of the down swing is as shown in FIG. 9, and the weight data for the same in FIG. 10. The visual image and the weight data are combined on the liquid crystal display 40 a when displayed. At the down swing, it is to be noted that the 56.5% of the total weight is on the left foot, while 40.5% is on the right foot, thus indicating the center of gravity about to make shift onto the left foot. Similarly, at the down swing, the weight is becoming lager in the vicinity of the toes, compared to the heel for the left foot, similarly larger in the vicinity of the toes compared to the heel, for the right foot.

[0063] The visual image of impact with a golf ball is as shown in FIG. 11, and the weight data at the impact is as shown in FIG. 12. The liquid crystal display 40 a displays the visual image and the weight data combined on the display 40. At the time of impact, 87.8% is on the left foot and the 12.2% on the right foot, respectivey against the total weight. It is to be noted easily by a glance, that the center of gravity is shifted greatly onto the left foot, leaving only small amount of weight on the right foot. Similarly, the weight is slightly larger in the vicinity of outside of the left foot compared to inside of the left foot, slightly larger in the vicinity of the big toe compared to other areas for the right foot, at the time of the impact.

[0064] The visual image of the follow through position is as shown in FIG. 13, and the weight data at the time of follow through is as shown in FIG. 14. The visual image and the weight data are combined on the liquid crystal display 40 a when displayed. It is easily noted at a glance, that 78.4% of the total weight is on the left foot, while leaving 21.6% on the right foot, at the time of follow through, indicating the center of gravity remained greatly on the left foot. Similarly, it is easily recognized at a glance that the weight in the vicinity of the heel is larger than in the rest of the areas for the left foot, while the weight in the vicinity of the big toe becoming larger than other areas for the right foot.

[0065] The measuring portion as illustrated in FIG. 2, connected by key board and mouse, performs timely processing as necessary. It is also designed to be able to print out visual images displayed on the display as necessary, through connected printers.

[0066] The present invention resolves conventionally existed problems aforementioned, provides a swing analyzing device to analyze swings practiced in various sporting events, for instance, golf swing in golf. The swing analyzing device of the present invention is capable of judging whether the swing is appropriate or inappropriate, and to correct inappropriate swing into an appropriate swing by analyzing the weights in at least three areas in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel, respectively for the left and right feet, and the flight direction, distance, trajectory of the ball being hit as the result of swing. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A swing analyzing device comprising: a left foot weight measuring means for continuously measuring, during a series of swing motions covering from a beginning to an end of a swing, body weight applied on the left foot in at least three areas in the vicinity of a big toe, a little toe, and a heel, of the left foot; a right foot weight measuring means for continuously measuring, during a series of swing motions covering from a beginning to an end of a swing, body weight applied on the right foot in at least three areas in the vicinity of a big toe, a little toe, and a heel of the right foot; a visual recording means for visually recording the swing; a synchronizing means for synchronously driving the left foot weight measuring means, the right foot weight measuring means, and the visual recording means; a recording means for recording the body weight applied on the left foot measured by the left foot weight measuring means, the body weight applied on the right foot measured by the right foot weight measuring means, a visual image of the swing recorded by the visual recording means; a left foot template for loading the left foot; a right foot template for loading the right foot; a display means for displaying; in the vicinity of a big toe, a little toe, and a heel of the left foot template, the body weight applied on the left foot in at least three areas in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel recorded by the recording means, at prescribed point A in the swing; and in the vicinity of a big toe, a little toe, and a heel of the right foot template, the body weight applied on the right foot in at least three areas in the vicinity of the big toe, the little toe, and the heel recorded by the recording means, at the prescribed point A in the swing; and the visual image of the swing at the prescribed point A in the swing.
 2. A swing analyzing device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays in the vicinity of the big toe, little toe, and the heel of the left and right feet templates, bar graphs indicating the body weight distribution applied to the left and right feet.
 3. A swing analyzing device according to claim 2, wherein bars in the bar graphs have constant lengths in base by variating lengths in hights to indicate longer bars for larger amount of body weight applied.
 4. A swing analyzing device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays in the vicinity of the templates, a numeral representing the body weight applied to the left and right feet.
 5. A swing analyzing device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays a weight ratio of the left foot against a total weight, and the weight ratio of the right foot against the total weight.
 6. A swing analyzing device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays a position of center of gravity against the total weight.
 7. A swing analyzing device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays: a position of center of gravity for the left foot against the total weight applied to the left foot; and a postion of center of gravity for the right foot against the total weight applied to the right foot.
 8. A swing analyzing device acording to claim 1, further comprising: plates for respectively loading the left and right feet; three load cells disposed below the plates in at least three areas in the vicinity of the big toe, little toe, and the heel of the left and right feet.
 9. A swing analyzing device according to claim 1, wherein the visual recording means is a video camera, the synschronizing means is a pulse generator, and the recording means and the display means are computors.
 10. A swing analyzing device according to claim 1, wherein the swing is one of a golf swing, a base ball swing, a tennis swing, and a badmitton swing. 